Art. 372. Court reporters; retention and destruction of notes and recordings of civil cases

            A. The court reporter of a trial court, when directed by the court, shall report verbatim in shorthand by stenography or stenotype, or by voice recording or any other recognized manner when the equipment therefor has been approved by the court, the testimony of all witnesses, the other evidence introduced or offered, the objections thereto, and the rulings of the court thereon, on the trial of any appealable civil case or matter.

            B. When the court so directs, or the fees therefor have been paid or secured, or when an appeal has been granted in cases in which a party has been permitted to litigate without the payment of costs, he shall transcribe verbatim in a manner approved by the supreme court, all of his notes taken at the trial, or such portion thereof as is designated. He shall file one copy of the transcript in the trial court; shall deliver a copy thereof to each of the parties who has paid therefor; and, when an appeal has been granted, he shall furnish to the clerk of the trial court the number of copies of the transcript required by law.

            C. The court reporter shall retain all notes and audio recordings in civil cases for a period of not less than five years after the end of the trial. However, if the record of the trial is fully transcribed, the court reporter shall retain all notes and audio recordings which have been fully transcribed for a period of not less than two years after transcription is completed. Retention of the tape and audio recordings are subject to the storage provisions provided in Paragraph D of this Article. The court reporter shall destroy any notes and audio recordings of any matter upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

            D. The notes and tape recordings of any civil case which are retained by a court reporter pursuant to the provisions of this Article are the property of the court in which the case was heard. The court retains ownership of the recordings and notes, and if a court reporter retires or leaves the employment of the court, all notes, audio recordings, and other records of court proceedings shall remain in the custody and control of the court and be retained pursuant to applicable retention statutes and the provisions of this Article.

            E. He shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him by law or by the court.

            F. When a party to a proceeding requests a transcript and has paid for the transcript, the court reporter shall provide that party with an electronic copy of the transcript along with a paper copy of the transcript at no additional charge or cost to the requesting party.

            Acts 1986, No. 545, §1; Acts 2006, No. 820, §1, eff. July 5, 2006; Acts 2026, No. 60, §2.